Press release:
Tuesday, October 16th has been a date circled on the Genesee Community College men's soccer calendar since their 2012 schedule was announced over the summer. Genesee Community College vs. Herkimer County Community College.
Tuesday night will bring the most anticipated matchup in the history of the GCC Soccer program. The Cougars, currently ranked number two in the NJCAA Division III National Poll, will sport their 14-1 overall record against the Generals, the number-one ranked team in the National Poll, who also hold a 14-1 record.
The last time these two teams met was last November when both squads played for the Junior College National Championship. Herkimer defeated Genesee 4-1, en route to their eighth National Championship in school history. Genesee had defeated Herkimer 1-0 in their regular season matchup last fall.
The only blemish on GCC's season so far came against Division I Monroe Community College in early September. The Tribunes defeated Genesee 4-1. After the loss, Genesee put together 13 straight victories and claimed their second straight Western New York Athletic Conference title, finishing a perfect 5-0 in conference play. Herkimer's only defeat came against Division I Mercer County Community College (PA). The Generals fell to Mercer CCC 2-0 earlier this month.
All-American sophomore Dominic Francis will pace the Cougars offense against the number-one squad in the country. The forward currently leads all of NJCAA Division III in scoring and surpassed the GCC single-season scoring record, tallying 27 goals this fall (the previous mark was 23). The Genesee defense and goalkeepers have combined for seven shutouts against opponents this year and have held teams to just 0.9 goals per game.
The showdown will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night and admission is free. It will be the final regular season home game for the Cougars this season and likely determine the number one team in next weeks National Poll.
Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork and cooperation.
For further information and pictures go to Genesee's Athletic Web page, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program. http://www.genesee.edu/athletics
